PEOPLE living in the most deprived areas of England and Wales can expect around 20 fewer years of good health than those in the least deprived parts, new data found today.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that boys born in 2022-2024 in affluent areas can expect 69.2 healthy years, 83 per cent of life, compared with 49.8 years, 68 per cent, in the most deprived areas.

For girls, the figures are 68.5 years, or 79 per cent, versus 48.2 years, 62 per cent.

The inequality gap in England is 19.3 years for males and 20.1 years for females, the research showed.

In Wales, the gap is even wider at 20.6 years for males and 23.1 years for females.

Boys in the most deprived areas have 49.7 healthy years versus 67.8 years in the least deprived areas, and for girls, it is 47.3 years compared to 66.3 years.

The Health Equals organisation said government goals to halve the gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest regions look “more distant than ever.”

Chief campaigns officer Paul McDonald said: “Let’s not forget that behind these latest statistics are real people with families, loved ones, jobs and ambitions, whose chances of living a long, healthy life are cut short because of things out of their control.

“Health isn’t one dimensional. It’s shaped by the world around us, including our homes, workplaces, and communities.

“Putting our health first means joining the dots between them.”

Health Equals called for a government-wide plan to tackle health inequalities and “give everyone an equal chance of being in good health for longer.”